Chapter 3941 — The Scrap King Is Looking for You
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Not that Chen Heihu was a good man—in truth, no one who thrived in a place as rife with every sort of fish and dragon as the market district could be truly good. But Chen Heihu knew how to conduct himself; he was the shrewd sort who genuinely understood when to advance and when to yield, and he was generous besides. Dealing with a man like that suited Wei Zhao's tastes far better.
"Well now, Brother Lin! It's been ages!" Though they had met only once, Chen Heihu recognized Wei Zhao at a glance and greeted him warmly with a broad smile.
Wei Zhao paused a beat, then smiled and replied, "Brother Chen Heihu, I trust you've been well."
Chen Heihu glanced at the sack Wei Zhao was dragging behind him and nodded knowingly. "So Brother Lin means to give my business some custom again. Every time I see you, good fortune follows—a rare and welcome guest indeed, a guest of honor!"
Wei Zhao wasted no words. "This sack holds the carcasses of several spirit beasts. Have a look, Brother Chen, and give me an estimate."
"Right away, Brother Lin, rest easy. You know how I do business—the price will satisfy you, guaranteed!" Chen Heihu promptly called over his servants and set them busy.
He himself, however, drew Wei Zhao aside and said in a low voice, "Brother Lin, there've been people asking after you in the market for some time now, and they seem to be no small players. You'd best keep your eyes open."
Wei Zhao nodded. "Many thanks for the warning. I'm truly grateful."
"Bah, what's all this thanks between friends? If even a friendly warning earns gratitude, that's far too formal." Chen Heihu laughed heartily, then went on, "These days those people come around less often, though they still show up to look things over now and then. As long as you stay a little alert, Brother Lin, I doubt there'll be any trouble."
"Mm, I have that well in mind. I'm obliged to you for the trouble, Brother Chen," Wei Zhao answered.
He had long known of this himself, but he still had to acknowledge the favor. Otherwise, with a more opportunistic sort, far from warning him, the man would likely have slipped off by now to inform Nantian Pass and Yu Jiang. After all, there was surely a handsome reward for providing intelligence—and who in these times turns up his nose at spirit jade?
Chen Heihu waved a dismissive hand, then added, "Oh, right—one more thing. That fellow the Scrap King seems to be looking for you as well. I'm only mentioning it to you, Brother Lin—in truth, a fellow who talks big and never delivers is best ignored."
Wei Zhao felt a twinge of shame at that. He had promised to go to the Azure Cloud Pavilion to have the Scrap King forge a weapon for him, and several months had passed since—he had put the matter entirely out of his mind. Now that he thought of it, he really had done the Scrap King wrong.
Admittedly, Wei Zhao had indeed been busy of late—first the newcomer assessment, then preparations to refine pills and boost his strength. And when he had spoken to the Scrap King, he had said he would come by after a while. Yet now several months had slipped by in a blink, and he had left the man hanging rather badly all this time.
"That was my oversight. In a few days, I'll go to the Azure Cloud Pavilion to see him," Wei Zhao replied.
He had previously obtained a ten-thousand-year tree crystal and a thousand-year tree crystal from Half-Moon Lake. It was the perfect occasion to sit down with the Scrap King and work out how to wring the greatest value from them—and how best to upgrade his refined steel staff. R1152